Tom’s tackle lowers fugitive
Tom Palmer’s rugby league tackling skills came to the fore as a dangerous fugitive was apprehended in Oamaru on Wednesday.
The former Wellington premier league player instinctively gave chase after the man fled a storage unit he was found in and was joined in the chase by Oamaru Self Storage director Lance Greaney.
‘‘I thought he was a homeless man. He was pretty quick. We caught him after about a 100-metre sprint as he slowed to climb a fence,’’ Palmer said.
Palmer who is 1.7 metres (5 foot 7 inches) kneeled on the much taller fugitive’s back, as Greaney held him down until police arrived.
‘‘I’m used to tackling bigger guys, he was 1.92m (6 foot 3 inches). It is quite normal for me,’’ Palmer said.
The wanted man is believed to be Leslie McCreath who has been on the run since December. Police had previously warned the public that McCreath was dangerous and should not be approached. He was known to have contacts in Oamaru, South Canterbury and
Christchurch. A warrant to arrest had been issued for him on charges related to methamphetamine and firearms.
Palmer was at the storage unit to undertake some gas work on a couple’s caravan. He and the couple noticed a window had been smashed.
On entering, the woman owner saw that various items were out of place and an unfamiliar portable cellphone battery pack was on the table. Moving the dishevelled cushions revealed the body of man in the fetal position.
Thinking the person was dead the woman went to find her husband – a doctor – and at that moment the body came to life and sprinted out of the caravan.
‘‘We had been in the caravan talking for about 10 minutes by then,’’ Palmer said.
Greaney said he was pleased they caught the man and he was also grateful they had security cameras to ensure no more unwanted visitors stopped by.
‘‘We don’t want people like that around. Me and the plumber sorted it out.’’
Reluctant to be called heroes, the chasers say it was not something they thought about.
Palmer’s manager at Foleys Plumbing said it was a most unusual situation.
‘‘Something like this has never happened before. He’s (Palmer) a hero.’’
He said it was fortunate Palmer was there as originally the woman was going to go alone to the storage facility.
Police confirmed a 45 year-old man was arrested on a warrant, and burglary charges on Wednesday and appeared in the Oamaru District Court.